To be a woman in the middle of men
Today is a day in which women are celebrated "out there", aka in the "world". And as for any feast that is not an official Catholic one, us Catholics ask ourselves if we should join the crowd. Most of us do without thinking twice, while a few systematically reject the idea, saying it is not "our" feast.
I believe that we, as lay people especially since we are not vocationned to be recluded from the world, are called to give a different testimony in a world in which countervalues rule. We cannot hide in our churches and let the world out there "celebrate" without giving our 2 cents. We must celebrate OUR way.
Today is a day in which women are celebrated worldwide. On Instagram, there are plenty of ads of famous women in the music industry, among others, who have show a strong "girl power" along the years. More often then not, those woman are half naked and showcasing their body in any way possible. I grew up thinking that was "girl power", a word made famous by the Spice Girls, whom I worshipped at 10 years-old.
Growing older, I started looking up to other female figures, usually the "big voices", as I started being more serious about singing: Destiny's Child and later Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys... I wanted to sound like them and BE like them.
Then my life changed, I had an experience with Christ, which eventually confronted me to what I really wanted to be, especially as an artist. Slowly but surely, I switched the tight, revealing clothes for long dresses, and the sexy moves for worship poses. I found new role models within my Christian faith: Cristalina Evert, Abby Johnson, Emmir Nogueira, co-founder of the Shalom Catholic Community (of which I am a part of), just to name a few.
One thing that struck me when I arrived in this new mission as the female lead singer of our ministry Missionnário Shalom, is the fact that I was the only woman, not only in the lead vocals, but in the whole complete band. Don't get me wrong, as a singer in the world previously, I was used to play with a band full of men, that is more than common in the music industry. But most of the time time there was a fellow female singer with me in the group or event. Plus, I only did a few rehearsals and shows with them, then we would go home. I never toured and spent hours and hours on the road being the only woman in a group. In my community, there are much more women than men, so my ministry is one of the very few in which this situation occurs, except perhabs the liturgy ministry. It's a strong experience which requires from me all sorts of skills, especially the virtue of temperance. Knowing when to speak up, how to speak up, when to let go and stay quiet.
When I first arrived, I actually got a Whatsapp message from one of the ladies who helps the band, saying it's the first time that the female vocalist is "alone" in the band (the previous formation had backup singers for many years), and that she and one of those previous backup singers offered themselves as a support group for anything I might need. I actually cried reading that message!
The first time we had a prayer and formation with the band and me, the visualization I had was of the apostles in the Cenacle, with Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mother, preparing to receive the Holy Spirit. Last time I prayed with the boys this week, in front of a giant crucifix, I once again related to Mary Magdalene at the feet of the Cross of her Loved One.
So, how does this Women's Day resonate to me this year? I live it identifying and looking up, not to Beyoncé or Anitta (biggest superstar in Brazil), but to this woman who left a worldly lifestyle to follow the One who stole her heart. Who had to deal with a handfull of man, her brothers, and learn how to deal with them, not paying attention the public opinion, but always remembering WHY and FOR WHOM she was living this life.
She had the privilege to share her sufferings with the one that us Catholics consider the most perfect Creature God made: the Virgin Mary. Ultimately, as inaccessible as this goal sounds, I believe she is the ultimate role model: strong yet obedient to the will of God; influent yet full of the Holy Spirit.
Saint Mary Magdalene and Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for all women out there!
I believe that we, as lay people especially since we are not vocationned to be recluded from the world, are called to give a different testimony in a world in which countervalues rule. We cannot hide in our churches and let the world out there "celebrate" without giving our 2 cents. We must celebrate OUR way.
Today is a day in which women are celebrated worldwide. On Instagram, there are plenty of ads of famous women in the music industry, among others, who have show a strong "girl power" along the years. More often then not, those woman are half naked and showcasing their body in any way possible. I grew up thinking that was "girl power", a word made famous by the Spice Girls, whom I worshipped at 10 years-old.
Growing older, I started looking up to other female figures, usually the "big voices", as I started being more serious about singing: Destiny's Child and later Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys... I wanted to sound like them and BE like them.
Then my life changed, I had an experience with Christ, which eventually confronted me to what I really wanted to be, especially as an artist. Slowly but surely, I switched the tight, revealing clothes for long dresses, and the sexy moves for worship poses. I found new role models within my Christian faith: Cristalina Evert, Abby Johnson, Emmir Nogueira, co-founder of the Shalom Catholic Community (of which I am a part of), just to name a few.
One thing that struck me when I arrived in this new mission as the female lead singer of our ministry Missionnário Shalom, is the fact that I was the only woman, not only in the lead vocals, but in the whole complete band. Don't get me wrong, as a singer in the world previously, I was used to play with a band full of men, that is more than common in the music industry. But most of the time time there was a fellow female singer with me in the group or event. Plus, I only did a few rehearsals and shows with them, then we would go home. I never toured and spent hours and hours on the road being the only woman in a group. In my community, there are much more women than men, so my ministry is one of the very few in which this situation occurs, except perhabs the liturgy ministry. It's a strong experience which requires from me all sorts of skills, especially the virtue of temperance. Knowing when to speak up, how to speak up, when to let go and stay quiet.
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| The boys and I on our way to the Círio Musical, feast in honour of the Virgin Mary in Belem, Pará |
When I first arrived, I actually got a Whatsapp message from one of the ladies who helps the band, saying it's the first time that the female vocalist is "alone" in the band (the previous formation had backup singers for many years), and that she and one of those previous backup singers offered themselves as a support group for anything I might need. I actually cried reading that message!
The first time we had a prayer and formation with the band and me, the visualization I had was of the apostles in the Cenacle, with Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mother, preparing to receive the Holy Spirit. Last time I prayed with the boys this week, in front of a giant crucifix, I once again related to Mary Magdalene at the feet of the Cross of her Loved One.
So, how does this Women's Day resonate to me this year? I live it identifying and looking up, not to Beyoncé or Anitta (biggest superstar in Brazil), but to this woman who left a worldly lifestyle to follow the One who stole her heart. Who had to deal with a handfull of man, her brothers, and learn how to deal with them, not paying attention the public opinion, but always remembering WHY and FOR WHOM she was living this life.
She had the privilege to share her sufferings with the one that us Catholics consider the most perfect Creature God made: the Virgin Mary. Ultimately, as inaccessible as this goal sounds, I believe she is the ultimate role model: strong yet obedient to the will of God; influent yet full of the Holy Spirit.
Saint Mary Magdalene and Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, pray for all women out there!
I know you are strong-willed; you know what you want and what you are worth. Your faith makes you even stronger. Your presence as the only female singer in the middle of men gives you an opportunity to show your net worth. They will respect you and live in perfect harmony with you, taking you as their sister and protecting you against all odds. Keep your place with dignity. You are at an advantage in this position. Continue to be inspired by your models in the cenacle - Mary Magdalene and the Holy Virgin Mary. You also will be a role model one day for other women. I wish you every success. Go ahead. The sky is the limit.
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